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Blast at chemical plant in US state of Louisiana Blast at chemical plant in US state of Louisiana
(35 minutes later)
A chemical plant in the US state of Louisiana has been hit by a large explosion and fire, officials say.A chemical plant in the US state of Louisiana has been hit by a large explosion and fire, officials say.
The blast happened at the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, south of Baton Rouge, the fire service said. At least 30 people have been injured in the blast at the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, officials quoted by AP news agency said.
It is believed some people have been injured but no deaths have so far been reported.
The plant produces highly flammable gases that are used in the petrochemical industry.The plant produces highly flammable gases that are used in the petrochemical industry.
Photographs posted online by local media showed a huge pall of smoke over the area. Footage from the scene showed flames and a huge pall of black smoke over the plant.
The cause of the blast, which happened at about 08:30 local time (13:30 GMT), is unclear.The cause of the blast, which happened at about 08:30 local time (13:30 GMT), is unclear.
Major roads around the site have been sealed off and nearby residents have been told to stay inside their homes with doors and windows closed. Major roads around the site have been sealed off and nearby residents have been told to stay indoors with doors and windows closed.
Corey Gautreaux, captain of the City of Gonzales Fire Department, said emergency services were treating people at the scene. A spokeswoman for the Department of Environmental Quality quoted by AP said ambulances took about 30 people to hospital. She did not have details about injuries.
WAFB TV reported that six burns victims had been airlifted to hospital, citing the Iberville Office of Emergency Preparedness. The spokeswoman said tests had not found dangerous levels of chemicals in the air so far.
Amy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the district office of the Homeland Security department said: "The fire department, the sheriff's office and hazmat (hazardous materials) team are responding to the explosion at the Williams Olefins plant."Amy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the district office of the Homeland Security department said: "The fire department, the sheriff's office and hazmat (hazardous materials) team are responding to the explosion at the Williams Olefins plant."
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